One of the NRL's most battle-hardened players, Billy Smith has quietly pieced together the longest injury-free run of his first-grade career.
In the win over Cronulla last Saturday, the Sydney Roosters centre chalked up 11 consecutive weeks fit, his longest in-season streak since his NRL debut in 2019.
A 10-week run between a head knock and a broken jaw late in the 2023 season is the only period that comes close to Smith being fit and firing for 11 weeks.
For most players 11 consecutive weeks of fitness might not be much to write home about, and not all of Smith's have been spent in the first-grade team.
But for the local product the milestone shaped as a small reward for a large amount of resilience.
On the road to his 34th NRL game against Canberra this Sunday, the 25-year-old has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament three times, undergone shoulder surgery and suffered serious Lisfranc and ankle injuries.
That list, rounded out by a couple of soft tissue complaints and the aforementioned broken jaw, would lead most to think Smith is an unlucky man.
But at the moment, Smith's overwhelming feeling is gratitude.
"The thing that going through injuries teaches you is perspective," Smith said.
"When you're in that position, when you're in rehab, you look at the other side (playing) and you think, 'I wish that could be me'.
"When you're playing week in week out, I do like sitting back and reflecting and thinking, 'I'm in a really good position. I'm grateful'."
The ankle issue Smith battled last year was particularly tough to swallow.
It meant Smith never made it into the first-grade team in 2024, just when he felt he had a system in place to guard himself against more injuries.
Smith was focusing on sleeping well and overhauling his diet, even cutting out his favourite meal - eggs benedict - to remain in peak condition.
"Last year was really disappointing," he said.
"Diet's been big for me, recovery, all these sorts of things I do off the field to try and bullet-proof my body.
"I feel like I'm in a really good spot with it at the minute, so now it's just about stacking the days, keep being consistent with it."
Smith's attitude has impressed his teammates.
"It's a credit to him to see where he's come from and all that he's faced," said winger Daniel Tupou, who plays outside Smith.
"He's an exciting player and he's been doing really well for us this year."
Smith won't become carried away; he knows too well how footy can be ripped away in an instant.
"That's where my head's at, just keep working hard, keep being grateful for where I'm at," he said.
You can forgive Smith for feeling upbeat or if he now indulges in an eggs benedict from time to time.
"It's my cheat meal," Smith said.
